Black Sabbath played the much criticized gigs at the Sun City Super Bowl on six dates during there stay in the country. July 25, July 26, August 1, August 2, August 8 and August 9. After this show, Dave Spitz leaves the band permanently (Aug 15). Jo Burt joins the band for the Eternal Idol Tour (Oct 1).
In an interview with Tony Iommi for Kerrang Magazine, published on January 2, 1988:
One decision that Tony in his heart of hearts regrets is the one that took the band to South Africa last Year. It roused the Anti-Apartheid movement into vigorous action and was, at the very least, part of the cause of a number of European shows being pulled by promoters on the last tour.“Hopefully, it hasn’t done us any lasting damage. But in our defence I’ve gotta say that this was discussed with Patrick Meehan’s lawyers who convinced us that Sun City wasn’t actually in South Africa…and we were foolish to befeve them!
In the 1980's, the UK-based Artists Against Apartheid (AAA) started to focus on the role played by those working in the entertainment industry in propping up apartheid. AAA pushed for the complete cultural isolation of South Africa, including Sun City in the "independent" apartheid homeland of Bophuthatswana. As a consequence, fewer musicians played Sun City in the latter half of the decade, and many of those who previously had done so pledged not to do so again, and thereby had their names removed from the UN black list (e.g. Elton John, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton and Queen). Those that did perform at Sun City were heavily criticized, especially within the press. Black Sabbath were banned from a Dutch concert hall in Tilburg when the owner heard that they had played at Sun City in 1987. By 1989, the AAA had essentially ended the steady flow of musicians to South Africa. ("Popular Music Censorship in Africa", Michael Drewett & Martin Cloonan, 2006, p.27).
Bophuthatswana
The territory became nominally independent on 6 December 1977 from South Africa. Bophuthatswana's independence was not recognized by any government other than those of South Africa. Bophuthatswana was a Tswana homeland and a Bantustan in South Africa. It was dissolved and reincorporated into South Africa in 1994 after the end of apartheid.
Sun City
Sun City, was located in the North West Province of South Africa, it was developed in the 1970s as a resort and entertainment complex. Its establishment coincided with the implementation of apartheid, a system of racial segregation enforced by the Afrikaner National Party starting in 1948..
Vocals - Tony Martin
Guitar - Tony Iommi
Bass - Dave Spitz
Drums - Terry Chimes
Keyboards - Geoff Nicholls
Story from the photographer:
As politically incorrect as it may have been, I was 26, metal-starved and was at the Black Sabbath concert at Sun City. It was one that I wasn't prepared to miss, and I'm glad that I didn't. What a show...one of my best ever! There were a total of six gigs played in Sun City. Sabbath played on Saturday and Sunday, over the course of three weekends. The dates of these gigs were July 25/26, August 1/2 and August 8/9. These photos are from the gig on Saturday, August 1, 1987 and feature the friends who travelled there with me - Schalk Willem Vorster, Andre Carel Smith, his girlfriend of the month and Debra Childs.
Cameras were strictly prohibited at Sun City (and all patrons were searched before entering the arena), but I managed to smuggle the body of my Pentax ME Super into the venue in my underpants! My girlfriend did the same with the 50mm camera lens. We managed to get right to the front of the stage, and I shot off a roll of 24 frames that magical night. A quarter of a century since the concert, these rare images are seeing the light of day for the first time.
As politically incorrect as it may have been, I was 26, metal-starved and was at the Black Sabbath concert at Sun City. It was one that I wasn't prepared to miss, and I'm glad that I didn't. What a show...one of my best ever! There were a total of six gigs played in Sun City. Sabbath played on Saturday and Sunday, over the course of three weekends. The dates of these gigs were July 25/26, August 1/2 and August 8/9. These photos are from the gig on Saturday, August 1, 1987 and feature the friends who travelled there with me - Schalk Willem Vorster, Andre Carel Smith, his girlfriend of the month and Debra Childs.
Cameras were strictly prohibited at Sun City (and all patrons were searched before entering the arena), but I managed to smuggle the body of my Pentax ME Super into the venue in my underpants! My girlfriend did the same with the 50mm camera lens. We managed to get right to the front of the stage, and I shot off a roll of 24 frames that magical night. A quarter of a century since the concert, these rare images are seeing the light of day for the first time.
Photographs down below is from the show in Sun City in Bophuthatswana (South Africa) on August 1, 1987. Only shared for educational/historical use.
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